Hi all, in the process of planning a trip to KK and going to do a few days of diving in TARP before heading to Mantanani. What I'm wondering is, how long should we stay on the island? I've read that Mantanani only really has one 'resort' with some beach bungalows and good diving, so I don't expect much toplife activities. Has anybody stayed there for two nights? Or is 2D/1N more than enough for such a quiet place?
How long to stay on Mantanani?
- Thread starter BabyFugu
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Dreamdivegirl
Contributor
Hi BabyFugu,
Let me mention first that we run a Dive Centre based in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. My aim is to share our experience with you to help you have the best time diving along the west coast Sabah, not to promote our diving to you.
We run PADI OW courses from Mantanani. My feedback is based on this experience.
Mantanani is like a 'desert island'. It has stunning beaches and, if the weather / sea state is kind, has clear blue waters. So great for snorkeling and good for diving along shallow coral reefs with nice blue, clear waters. There is a village on Mantanani (approx. 800 people), but there is little else there (no bars, restaurants, night life etc.). So how long you stay there depends up on how long you want to be away from it all.
It takes about 3 hours by minibus / boat transfer from central Kota Kinabalu to Mantanani. There are a couple of 'Resorts' on Mantanani, both are fairly basic.
You do need to be aware, for diving at Mantanani, that there has been destructive fishing practices around the islands so not all reefs are in the pristine condition they should be and the fish life is less than it should be. Having said that, if you are taken to the right dive sites the corals are nice and the visibility can be lovely. It all depends what you are looking for from your diving.
I hope this helps. Enjoy your diving
DG
Let me mention first that we run a Dive Centre based in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. My aim is to share our experience with you to help you have the best time diving along the west coast Sabah, not to promote our diving to you.
We run PADI OW courses from Mantanani. My feedback is based on this experience.
Mantanani is like a 'desert island'. It has stunning beaches and, if the weather / sea state is kind, has clear blue waters. So great for snorkeling and good for diving along shallow coral reefs with nice blue, clear waters. There is a village on Mantanani (approx. 800 people), but there is little else there (no bars, restaurants, night life etc.). So how long you stay there depends up on how long you want to be away from it all.
It takes about 3 hours by minibus / boat transfer from central Kota Kinabalu to Mantanani. There are a couple of 'Resorts' on Mantanani, both are fairly basic.
You do need to be aware, for diving at Mantanani, that there has been destructive fishing practices around the islands so not all reefs are in the pristine condition they should be and the fish life is less than it should be. Having said that, if you are taken to the right dive sites the corals are nice and the visibility can be lovely. It all depends what you are looking for from your diving.
I hope this helps. Enjoy your diving
DG
Hi all,
Wanted to give a little trip report about the diving around Mantanani in case anyone else was interested in going.
We spent 2 days at TARP first and did 6 dives, all of which were very nice.
But really, diving at Mantanani is STUNNING. The visibility was just amazing, far far better than TARP. Corals were very, very healthy, bright colours, lots of fish both big and small. Did one drift dive along a beautiful reef and also one macro dive where we hunted for critters. For sure the reef dive was the best.
As DG mentioned, it is a quiet island. Two nights was more than enough for us. But the new Mari Mari Backpackers Lodge on the beach of the big island was really cool, with Indonesian style wooden huts. Really adds to the whole 'desert isle' feeling.
Sorry I don't have any pictures from the dive but I just wanted to say that Mantanani has definitely not been destroyed by dynamite fishing and the diving is good. On top of that you have the reefs all to yourself as not many people go out there.
Wanted to give a little trip report about the diving around Mantanani in case anyone else was interested in going.
We spent 2 days at TARP first and did 6 dives, all of which were very nice.
But really, diving at Mantanani is STUNNING. The visibility was just amazing, far far better than TARP. Corals were very, very healthy, bright colours, lots of fish both big and small. Did one drift dive along a beautiful reef and also one macro dive where we hunted for critters. For sure the reef dive was the best.
As DG mentioned, it is a quiet island. Two nights was more than enough for us. But the new Mari Mari Backpackers Lodge on the beach of the big island was really cool, with Indonesian style wooden huts. Really adds to the whole 'desert isle' feeling.
Sorry I don't have any pictures from the dive but I just wanted to say that Mantanani has definitely not been destroyed by dynamite fishing and the diving is good. On top of that you have the reefs all to yourself as not many people go out there.
Hi BabyFugu,
Ive been very interested in your report about Mantani
Im planning to go diving a few days at KK in early October.
Id like very much to spend one day at Mantanani.
But, I'm not sure I want to stay there for the night
Do you think its possible to do a day trip : 3 hours travel in the mornig, two dives and 3 hours travel again at the evening ? Or will it be too tiring ?
Thanks for your advice.
Ive been very interested in your report about Mantani
Im planning to go diving a few days at KK in early October.
Id like very much to spend one day at Mantanani.
But, I'm not sure I want to stay there for the night
Do you think its possible to do a day trip : 3 hours travel in the mornig, two dives and 3 hours travel again at the evening ? Or will it be too tiring ?
Thanks for your advice.
Dreamdivegirl
Contributor
Hi BabyFugu,
I have visited Mantanani in a day and it is possible. It is a long day out but well worth it if the weather and sea state are good.
If the sea is calm the vis is amazing and shallow coral reef diving is very pretty. The island and white sand beaches are a perfect place for chilling out too.
I'd recommend you book the diving in advance at Mantanani rather than wait until you get to the Island. This then ensures there will be sufficient Diving Staff and dive gear for you on the day.
October is still in the 'Dry Season' here so weather is generally okay. You can still get strong winds offshore which can impact the crossing over to Mantanani - so take seasickness tablets in advance.
Mari Mari Lodge is currently the nicest Lodge on Mantanani so if you are tempted to stay over I would recommend you stay there. It can get very busy so book in advance.
Enjoy diving from Mantanani
Cheers,
DG
I have visited Mantanani in a day and it is possible. It is a long day out but well worth it if the weather and sea state are good.
If the sea is calm the vis is amazing and shallow coral reef diving is very pretty. The island and white sand beaches are a perfect place for chilling out too.
I'd recommend you book the diving in advance at Mantanani rather than wait until you get to the Island. This then ensures there will be sufficient Diving Staff and dive gear for you on the day.
October is still in the 'Dry Season' here so weather is generally okay. You can still get strong winds offshore which can impact the crossing over to Mantanani - so take seasickness tablets in advance.
Mari Mari Lodge is currently the nicest Lodge on Mantanani so if you are tempted to stay over I would recommend you stay there. It can get very busy so book in advance.
Enjoy diving from Mantanani
Cheers,
DG
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